The persistent and well-known global cybersecurity skills shortage poses a significant challenge for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), according to a recent report. The report, based on a survey commissioned by Sophos of 5,000 frontline IT/cybersecurity professionals, sheds light on how SMBs are disproportionately affected by the lack of cybersecurity expertise. It also provides practical solutions to help SMBs address these challenges within the constraints of their budgets and resources, while outlining how Sophos can assist in improving cybersecurity outcomes for smaller organizations.
The research indicates that SMBs view a lack of in-house expertise as their second biggest cybersecurity risk, whereas larger organizations rank it much lower on their list of concerns. Risks such as a shortage of cybersecurity tools and stolen access data and credentials, which are more pressing concerns for larger organizations, take a back seat for smaller businesses grappling with the fundamental issue of having sufficient personnel to operate their existing investments.
The skills shortage in cybersecurity presents a dual challenge for SMBs. Firstly, there is a lack of qualified professionals in the field, making it increasingly difficult for SMBs to counter evolving threats. The analysis shows that smaller businesses find investigating alerts particularly challenging, with 96% encountering at least one aspect of this process as a hurdle. Secondly, the capacity to provide round-the-clock cybersecurity coverage is often beyond the capabilities of most SMBs, leaving them vulnerable to attacks during off-hours when 91% of ransomware incidents occur.
The impact of the cybersecurity skills gap is particularly severe for SMBs, with data encryption in ransomware attacks affecting 74% of incidents, likely due to weaker detection capabilities. Moreover, the limited workforce available to handle cybersecurity responsibilities increases the risk of talent burnout, as shown by a separate study that found 85% of organizations reporting fatigue and burnout among their cybersecurity and IT professionals.
To address the skills gap within SMBs, hiring additional cybersecurity staff may not always be a viable option due to budget constraints and stiff competition for talent. Engaging third-party security specialists, such as managed detection and response (MDR) services and managed service providers (MSPs), can offer a cost-effective solution to boost expertise and capacity. These services provide expert-led threat hunting, detection, and response, along with 24/7 monitoring and support across the organization’s environment.
Choosing cybersecurity solutions specifically designed for SMBs is also crucial to maximizing security benefits and return on investment. Look for tools that are technically robust yet user-friendly for IT teams, with features that streamline deployment, management, and response to potential attacks. Sophos, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions, offers a range of products and services tailored to meet the unique needs of SMBs.
Sophos MDR, MSP partnerships, and the Sophos Central platform are examples of how the company caters to SMBs by providing scalable, cloud-native cybersecurity solutions. These solutions are designed for ease of use, with automatic deployment, centralized management, and real-time visibility into security posture. By leveraging the expertise and resources of Sophos, SMBs can effectively defend against cyber threats and bridge the cybersecurity skills gap within their organizations.